On the court, however, Brightwell is as fearless as they come. Luckily for the Lady Gladiators, she had plenty of poise Thursday afternoon as Clarke Central advanced to the Elite Eight with a 59-51 win over Stone Mountain at The Forum in Rome.

Though she scored just eight points, her play in the fourth quarter helped the Lady Gladiators (21-6) pull away in the end.

Brightwell, who was held without a basket in the first half, came alive in the final period. With Ganiyat Adeduntan facing double-teams periodically and Stone Mountain putting significant pressure in the paint, the 5-foot-6 senior took over. In a three-minute span, she converted a pair of short jumpers and penetrated the lane twice before dishing off tough passes to Angela Smith for layups.

''Those passes were incredible,'' Smith said afterward. ''I don't know how she was able to fit half of those in to me.''

Brightwell's ability to drive the lane was more impressive considering the physical presence Stone Mountain exuded. The Lady Pirates featured five players over 5-10, including three 6-footers. Still, with Brightwell's speed and Smith's tough play inside, Clarke Central was able to wear down Stone Mountain.

Clarke Central head coach Cedrica Jones said that the play of Smith (18 points) inside was pivotal. As one of the more physical players that the Lady Gladiators possess, it was crucial for her to establish herself against the Lady Pirates.

''She banged in there with them and let them know she was going to be reckoned with,'' Jones said. ''Stone Mountain is an intimidating team, and Angela's really the only player that we have that can play that physical for us.''

Smith credited her and Brightwell's inspired play to the fact that the duo wasn't ready to see their careers end. The two seniors have endured the hardships that used to be associated with Clarke Central girls basketball, suffering through a losing season their freshman year.

''Now a days, during these games, me and Trina will look at each other and just know that we can't lose,'' Smith said. ''You can't let up and you've just got to give it your all.''

Such intensity is what makes Jones the happiest. And she had plenty of reason to smile Thursday, as the Lady Gladiators never lost their composure.

After Clarke Central opened up its first lead with 5:08 left in the third quarter, Stone Mountain powered its way back into a tie. The rest of the game was a series of runs pieced together by both teams, but each time the Lady Pirates came at them, the Lady Gladiators were ready to answer.

Prep Basketball Playoffs

GIRLS

Class AAA

at Forum in Rome

Clarke Central 59, Stone Mountain 51

Class AAA

at Cobb Civic Center

Gainesville 70, Hart County 48

Madison County 39, Westminster 35

Jackson County 46, South Forsyth 39

Franklin County 55, Pickens County 49

Class A

at Floyd College

Today

Athens Academy vs. Commerce, 4 p.m. (WJJC 1270-AM)

Bowdon vs. Jefferson, 5:30 p.m. (WJJC 1270-AM)

''I'm so proud of this team and for the fact that they listened to me during those runs,'' Jones said. ''That will to win is there, and that's what I've been waiting for. I'm just so happy to see that it's all coming together at just the right time.''

And it wasn't just Brightwell and Smith who chipped in, but the entire Clarke Central team. At any given moment, there was a different heroine for the Lady Gladiators.

Whether it was Adeduntan, who poured in a game-high 24 points, hitting several crucial free throws in the final moments of the game or Natalie Kopp, mostly known for her defensive prowess, hitting a key shot under pressure in the third quarter, every member of Clarke Central played a role in the win.

''I just told them to hold onto their intensity and stay focused,'' Jones said. ''I knew that they could pull it out if they hung onto their intensity.''

This article published in the Athens Daily News on Friday, March 2, 2001.